3 July 2020
The MNB will issue a silver collector coin of 10,000 forints and its non-ferrous metal version with a face value of 2,000 forints on 4 July 2020 to honour the 175th anniversary of Pál Szinyei Merse’s birth and the 100th anniversary of his death. The collector coins, to pay tribute to the groundbreaker of the modern Hungarian painting, who established his own school, come as additions to the thematic series presenting the outstanding figures of Hungarian visual arts. The coin was designed by sculptor Borbála Szanyi.
Pál Szinyei Merse was a groundbreaker in modern Hungarian painting, who established his own school. The fresh colour scheme of plein-air and the light, easy elegance of impressionism are present in his art. From the 1890s, generations looked up to him as their master. No other artist or movement have had a bigger impact on the modern Hungarian painting than Pál Szinyei Merse’s art.
The MNB will issue a silver collector coin of 10,000 forints and its non-ferrous metal version of 2,000 forints named ‘Szinyei Merse Pál' to mark a double anniversary. The primary role of collector coins is to offer education and pay tribute, therefore they are not to be used in everyday payments. Their face value serves to preserve the value the coins represent to collectors. The silver and the non-ferrous metal versions have the same design, with their denominations being the only difference. The collector coins were designed by sculptor Borbála Szanyi.
Both sides of the collector coins feature Pál Szinyei Merse’s works of art, i.e. their sections. The central motif on the obverse is based on one of the most original ideas of Pál Szinyei Merse’s. The easily formed sphere motif in his 1882 painting named The Balloon and a flying human figure may be regarded as representations of artistic freedom and soaring thoughts. The compulsory design elements on the obverse the lettering MAGYARORSZÁG (Hungary) and the denominations 10,000 FORINT and 2,000 FORINT are found in the lower field in three separate vertical lines. The figures in the denominations refer to the spherical form of the balloon. To the left of the balloon, the mint mark BP. and the mint year 2020 are shown in micro-lettering containing security elements.
The obverse of the Pál Szinyei Merse collector coins
 Silver collector coin |
 Non-ferrous metal collector coin |
On the thematic side Pál Szinyei Merse’s 1897 painting, Önarckép bőrkabátban (Self-portrait in a Leather Jacket) is featured as adapted to coins. The choice of motif promotes the educational role of the coins, as the portrait of the painter is lesser known. On the reverse, featuring an unusual representation, the letterings are shown as if carved in the trees: on the left, the lettering SZINYEI MERSE PÁL and the years 1845–1920 referring to the birth and the death of the painter, and on the right, the master mark of Borbála Szanyi, the designer of the coins.
The reverse of the Pál Szinyei Merse collector coins
 Silver collector coin |
 Non-ferrous metal collector coin |
Both collector coins have a diameter of 37 mm with reeded edges. The silver coin with a face value of HUF 10,000 is struck in .925 fine silver and weighs 24 grams. The non-ferrous metal coin with a face value of HUF 2,000 is produced from an alloy of copper (75%) and nickel (25%) and weighs 23.7 grams. The mintage limit of both the silver collector coin in proof finish and that of the non-ferrous version in BU finish is 5,000. In order to promote the commemorative and educational role of these collector coins as widely as possible, the silver commemorative coin ‘Szinyei Merse Pál’ will be available for purchase at face value for three months, while stocks last, and the non-ferrous metal version for one year from the first business day following the date of issuance in the coin shop of Hungarian Mint Ltd. (Budapest, distr. V, 7 Báthory street) and its webshop (https://www.penzvero.hu/) starting from 6 July 2020.